Which component of a word usually indicates the main medical meaning?

The root of a word typically indicates its main medical meaning. In medical terminology, the root word serves as the foundational component that provides the essential meaning of the term. For example, in the word “cardiology,” the root “cardi” refers to the heart, which is central to the concept of the study of heart health. By contrast, prefixes and suffixes are used to modify the meaning of the root or to indicate certain anatomical locations, procedures, or conditions but do not carry the core meaning themselves. Combining forms, which consist of a root and a combining vowel, can make medical terms easier to pronounce but still revolve around the original meaning from the root. Thus, understanding the root is critical to grasping the intent and context of medical terminology.